Improvement in boot-crimpers



. W. H. EDDY.

BOOT-CRIMPER.

Patented Nov. 16, 1875.

Inzwm/fan ffziz N- PETEHS. PHOTDJJTHDGRAPNER. WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNTED STATES PATENT Orrio.

' WILLIAM H. EDDY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT lN BOOT-CRIMPERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. I 69,971., datedNovember 16, 1875; application filed January 30, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. EDDY. of thecity and county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Boot-Crimping Ma chines; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descrip--view of the former and clamping-piece.

The first part of my invention consists in the employment of a crimpingfollower or former, working on a central axis with a rotary movement,and capable of independent lateral movement, in combination withcircular or annular shaped jaws, as hereinafter de scribed.

I The second part of my invention consists-in the combination, with theformer and jaws in a boot-crimping machine, of a clamping mechanism forholding the leather in position against said former, and preventing itfrom being carried to either side by the action of the jaws.

In the drawings, A denotes the supportingframe. B B indicate thecircular crimpingjaws; C, the former or follower, and D theoperating-shaft. The shaft D is supported and turns in hearings to a onthe frame A, preferably in a horizontal position, while the jaws B B,which I make in annular form, em-

bracing about three quarters of a circle, more or less, with an openingat one side, are arranged around the shaft concentric therewith, and inplanes perpendicular to its axis, as shown, said jaws B B beingsupported firmly in position by a suitable framework or standard, E. Thejaws B are held to each other by bolts or rods F, provided withcoiled-wire springs G for pressing the jaws together, and having nuts Hfor regulating the force of the springs. Washers are arranged on therods The former G is attached to a hub, c, keyed to the shaftD by asuitable spline, so that the former 0 will stand out radially from saidshaft in such position that the revolution of the shaft D will carryaround the former 0 between the annular jaws B B. The hub c is allowedsufficient looseness to slide laterally on the shaft, whereby sidestrain on the former is prevented and the parts rendered self adjusting,so that the former G will pass between the jaws B B with an equalpressure from each. The operatingshaft D is turned for carrying theformer G between the jaws, by means of the gear K and pinion L, thelatter being driven by a belt on the pulley M, and a suitable automaticclutchdevice may be arranged with the pulley M and pinion L for startingand stopping the machine when the former O is at the opening of the jawsor in position for feeding and disformer 0, so that when closed downagainst the latter the leather of the boot-front will be firmly heldbetween the two edges alongits central line, or at the position where itis folded to form the crimp, and as the shaft and former move forwardthe friction of the jaws B B upon the clamp-piece I forces the latterfirmly down upon the leather, and thus obviates any liability of itsbeing drawn to one side as it enters between the jaws. The clamppiece I,being somewhat thicker than the edge of the former, also preventstearing the leather at the part where it is folded, while itsjront edgeserves as a leader for opening the jaws B. The clamp-piece may, ifdesired, be made with spring sides to insure friction against the facesof the jaws when the latter are distended by the thickness of theleather passing between them. In the present instance the clamp-piece Iis connected to the former G by a pivotjoint, J, near the hub a, so thatits outer end can swing upward to release or receive the leather orboot'fronts, which are fed into and discharged from the machine as theformer passes the opening or space between the endsof the jaws. Ifpreferred, the clamp mechanism .can be arranged for opening and closingin other manner, and mechanism may be combined therewith foraccoiplishing the operation automatically, if desired. The inner facesof the jaws B are provided near their front ends with aseries of curvedor:crescent:

- a central axis concentric therewith, gives a greater amount ofmovement and friction near the periphery than near the center,consequently the leather of the foot part of the boot, which is outward,is subjected to a greater amount of stretch, thereby drawing back therear corners and imparting the desired form and crimp in a very perfectand satisfactory manner, while the rear ends of the jaws, being madewith smooth faces, press down the surface of the leather and leave it ina neat and finished condition.

A second former may be attached :to the shaft D to'work between the jawsB B when desired, the formers being placed at opposite sides, so thatthe two will feedand discharge alternately, and can be tended by asingle operator, or, if desired, a greater number of formers and jawscan be used, since the lateral movement of the formers O on the shaft 1)enables the whole series to conform auto matically to-the positions oftheir several jaws v as the latter are pressed apart by the'passage ofthe leather, or set together by the springs crimping-machines'of otherconstruction than that herein shown with good result.

I intend to employ guiding mechanism in combination with the front ofthe jaws B B, where indicated by dotted lines 00, to assist inaccurately feeding the leather into the machine, the construction andarrangement of said guiding mechanism to form the subjectmatter offuture application for Letters Patent.

'Having described my improved boot-crimpin g machine, what I claimtherein as new and of my invention, and desire to secure by LettersPatent, is

1. The combination, with the carrier or operating shaft D and annularjaws B B, of a former or formers, (3, attached to the shaft and arrangedto rotate between said jaws,'-and capable of independent lateraladjustment, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

2.111 a machine for crimping boots and shoes, the combination, with thejaws B,-of a former, O, adjustably attached to a rotating shaft, workingwith a constant forward action, and a clamping device, I, operatedagainst the edge of said former by the friction of the jaws against.said :clamp, substantially as and for-the purpose set forth.

In a boot-crimpingmachine, annularor curved jaws B B, provided withcrescentshaped grooves b b, in combination with a former or brake,O,mounted upon and operated by a rotating shaft and a clampor guardmechanism for holding and protecting the leather along the front edge ofsaid former, substantially as :herein set forth.

WILLIAM H. EDDY.

Witnesses:

YUHAS. H. BURLEIGH, S. BARTON.

